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https://github.com/pimoroni/mlx90640-library

Python library for the MLX90640 thermal camera
https://github.com/pimoroni/mlx90640-library

Last synced: 8 days ago
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Python library for the MLX90640 thermal camera

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README 

        
# mlx90640-library



This Python wrapper of the Melexis MLX90640 library was written for use with the Raspberry Pi and our [MLX90640 breakout](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/mlx90640-thermal-camera-breakout). While you are free to use this software with whatever combination of device you choose, we unfortunately lack the resources to test and support any other combinations.



** Warning: ** We have reason to believe that using this library in conjunction with a Jetson Nano could damage your device, please see: https://github.com/pimoroni/mlx90640-library/issues/38



## Raspberry Pi Users



** EXPERIMENTAL **



This port uses either generic Linux I2C or the  bcm2835 library.

Upon building, the mode is set with the I2C_MODE property, i.e. `make I2C_MODE=LINUX` or `make I2C_MODE=RPI`. The default is LINUX, without the need for the bcm2835 library or root access.



### Generic Linux I2C Mode



Make sure the Linux I2C dev library is installed:



```text

sudo apt-get install libi2c-dev

```



To get the best out of your sensor you should modify `/boot/config.txt` and change your I2C baudrate.



The fastest rate recommended for compatibility with other sensors is 400kHz. This is compatible with SMBus devices:



```text

dtparam=i2c1_baudrate=400000

```



This will give you a framerate of - at most - 8FPS.



If you're just using the MLX90640 and, for example, the 1.12" OLED, you can safely use 1MHz:



```text

dtparam=i2c1_baudrate=1000000

```



This will give you a framerate of - at most - 32FPS.



Now build the MLX90640 library and examples in LINUX I2C mode:



```text

make clean

make I2C_MODE=LINUX

```



### BCM2835 Library Mode



To use the bcm2835 library, install like so:



```text

make bcm2835

```



Or, step by step:



```text

wget http://www.airspayce.com/mikem/bcm2835/bcm2835-1.55.tar.gz

tar xvfz bcm2835-1.55.tar.gz

cd bcm2835-1.55

./configure

make

sudo make install

```



### Dependencies



libav for `video` example:



```text

sudo apt-get install libavutil-dev libavcodec-dev libavformat-dev

```



SDL2 for `sdlscale` example:



```text

sudo apt install libsdl2-dev

```



# Building



After installing the dependencies, you can build the library. Build-modes are:



* `make` or `make all`: build the library and all dependencies. Default is to use standard linux I2C-Drivers, specify Raspberry Pi driver with `make I2C_MODE=RPI`

* `make examples`: only build examples, see below

* `sudo make install`: install libraries and headers into `$PREFIX`, default is `/usr/local`



Afterwards you can run the examples or build the python binding, see readme in the subfolder.

If you built the examples or library using the native bcm2835 I2C-Driver, you need to run all applications and examples as root.

Hence, `sudo examples/` for one of the examples listed below, or without `sudo` when using the standard Linux driver.



# Examples

## fbuf



```

make examples/fbuf

sudo examples/fbuf

```



This example uses direct-to-framebuffer rendering and black-blue-green-yellow-red-purple-white false colouring.



If you have issues with the output image, set "`IMAGE_SCALE`" to a smaller number.



## interp



```

make examples/interp

sudo examples/interp

```



This example uses direct-to-framebuffer rendering and black-blue-green-yellow-red-purple-white false colouring.



It also has 2x bicubic resize filter.



If you have issues with the output image, set "`IMAGE_SCALE`" to a smaller number.



## test



```

make examples/test

sudo examples/test

```



This example draws out to the console using ANSI colours and the full block char.



To see the actual temperature values, change "`FMT_STRING`" from the block char to the float format.



## step



```

make examples/step

sudo examples/step

```



Attempt to run in step by step mode (experimental)



## sdlscale



Displays the MLX90640 sensor full-screen using hardware acceleration in SDL2.



Hit Spacebar to change from aspect-ratio correct to full-screen-stretched modes.



Hit Escape to exit.



```

make examples/sdlscale

sudo examples/sdlscale

```



Requires SDL2 libraries:



```

sudo apt install libsdl2-dev

```



On Raspbian Lite you may wish to build SDL2 from source with X support disabled to avoid pulling in ~200MB of dependencies. Before configuring/compiling ensure you have `libudev-dev` installed for input support.